Venue: Council Chamber - Port Talbot Civic Centre. View directions
No. | Item |
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Changes to Outside Body Representation Minutes: The
Committee was supportive of
the proposal to be considered by Cabinet. |
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Wellbeing Objectives and Corporate Plan Minutes: Committee
received a presentation on the above report, Members then raised the
following:- ·
Members felt that the Wellbeing goals were commendable , however it was
difficult to ascertain whether the Public Services Board’s goals were in line
with those of the Authority; ·
In relation to consultations, Member noted that this had been carried
out over the summer period, in order to meet deadlines; ·
Members noted that the final version of the Plan would be presented to
Council on 28 September 2017, for adoption; ·
Members were pleased with the number of responses received to the
consultation, however it was felt that the Plan should be broken down to show
the impacts on areas of the County Borough and Councillors contact local Groups
to help with the implementation of the Plan; ·
It was acknowledged that the Plan integrated some of the Authority’s
other major Plans such as the Local Development Plan, and such things as the
Welsh Language Standards and the work of the Valley’s Task Force, etc.; ·
Members supported the provision of out of school activities, but
expressed concern at the problem of accessibility. In addition the provision of sporting
activities was seen as an issue in outlying areas of the County Borough; ·
Members felt it important to focus on poverty and the ongoing
crime/antisocial behaviour within certain areas of the County Borough. It was noted that the Cabinet Member,
Officers and Police representatives had visited areas where antisocial
behaviour was a problem. In addition, an
initiative was being introduced in Neath. There was a need to prioritise actions due to
the lack of resources, however work would be ongoing
throughout the Borough, wherever the need arose. ·
There would be significant
challenges throughout the County Borough with savings/income generation of
around £65-£68m being required over the next 5 years. ·
The effects of Brexit on the Country’s
economics were not yet known. ·
In relation to Education, Members were advised that a mapping of the provision
would be undertaken in order to identify any duplication of provision. In addition schools would be provided with a
toolkit to identify and deal with such things as emotional well-being and
mental illness. ·
Members felt that an increase in inward investment would be of benefit
to the Authority, although the building of a prison in the area may increase
congestion on the M4. Following scrutiny, the Committee supported the
proposal to be considered by Cabinet. |
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Hackney Carriage Fare Increases Minutes: Members
received a verbal update in relation to the above, in that the Leader had
received an e mail advising him that only 5 of the 13 responses received were
in favour of the increase. There were 257 Hackney Vehicles and 343 drivers
in the County Borough, the response rate was therefore
very low-although this was not unusual. As
a result of the above and following scrutiny, it was agreed that Cabinet be requested
to defer the report for further consultation. |
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Response to the Welsh Government consultation 'Our Valleys, Our Future' Consultation Document Minutes: Members
were advised that the above document had been issued for consultation by the
Welsh Government. The Leader had established a Task and Finish Group to look at
the proposals in depth and to draft a response, as well as developing recommendations
for valley communities more broadly. Members
received a Draft letter prepared by the Task and Finish Group which, it was proposed, would form the basis of the Council's response to
the Welsh Government's consultation. Members
raised the following points:- ·
The change in the work demographic now allows more people to work from
home resulting in less travel; ·
There was a need to take into account the impact of the Local
Development Plan (LDP) and other corporate plans on the future of the valleys,
particularly land use. Some of the LDP
was at odds with the Welsh Government proposals. The Chief Executive agreed that there was a
need to address issues such as the National Resources Wales Flood Risk Maps,
etc. There would be an opportunity to
tweak the LDP in January 2018; ·
In relation to the Strategic Hub referred to in the consultation
document, Members were not against its development but felt that it would be of
more benefit in valley communities; ·
Transport was still seen as a major issue in the valley areas, and
Members were advised that consideration could be given to the Authority running
its own bus company in due course. Members were reminded that both the Dulais Valley and Glynneath had
rail links. Could these be
reopened? Emphasis would need to be on
the development of transport infrastructure throughout the valleys. In relation
to the City Deal proposals, perhaps consideration could be given to joining up
the metros both in the Cardiff and Swansea Valley areas? Officers advised that this would not be
possible in the Cardiff area and that the Swansea proposal did not include
Neath; ·
Members felt that there was a need to promote tourism in the County
Borough; ·
Members hoped that Welsh Government would consider the Authority’s
response as contained in the circulated report; ·
It was noted that the Task and Finish Group would continue. Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by
Cabinet. |